Apple tree (Coop 12)

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new cultivar of apple tree which is scab resistant, and which matures about eight weeks before Delicious and four and one-half weeks before Prima.

This invention is a new and distinct cultivar of apple tree. It wasdiscovered by applicants in August, 1972, at Lafayette, Ind., in thecourse of an attempt to develop improved apple trees with high fruitquality and resistance to Venturia inaequalis (Cke.) Wint., the causalagent for the apple scab disease. The tree is a seedling of knownpercentage planted in 1966 in Block C of the Hinsley Breeding Orchard atthe Horticultural Farm of the Purdue University Agricultural ExperimentStation, Lafayette, Ind. In the above orchard, its position was Row 23,Tree 125, having the description PRI 2175-25 in Purdue Universitybreeding records.

The present new cultivar, which is designated as Coop 12, is a seedlingproduced from crossing `Raritan` as the seed parent and the seedlingPRI1018-101 as the pollen parent in 1965 at New Brunswick, N.J. This newcultivar carries a genetic factor, V_(f), inherited from Malusfloribunda 821 which causes it to be resistant to infection caused byVenturia inaequalis. The presence of this genetic factor has beenrepeatedly proven by controlled greenhouse inoculation tests of theseedling and of its offspring produced from controlled crosses. Thecomplete pedigree is shown below: ##STR1##

This new cultivar produces a vigorous tree with good annual crops. It isresistant to scab and moderately resistant to fireblight and powderymildew.

The tree flowers just prior to `McIntosh` and `Priscilla` which isdescribed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,488. The apple fruit has good qualityfor the season. Fruit hold texture and quality two months or more at 34°F.

After observation, the selection was asexually propagated by grafting onseedling apple roots. The grafter material has maintained the desiredcharacteristics after propagation.

The accompanying drawing (color photograph) shows a typical example offruit and foliage of Coop 12. The following is a detailed description ofthe new cultivar with the color description according to theHorticultural Colour Chart issued by the British Colour Council incollaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society.

FLOWER

Pedicel: 3 cm (11/4 inches) in length.

Coralla: 3.5 cm (13/8 inches) in diameter at anthesis.

Color: Fuchsia purple from plate 28/1 (bud) to 28/3 (open flowers)

FRUIT

Shape: Ovate, regular.

Size: Axial diameter 6.7 cm (23/4 inches), transverse diameter 6.6 cm(23/4 inches).

Color: Undercolor sulfur yellow (Plate 1/3); overcolor 90% geranium lake(Plate 20/1 to darker); faint stripes on light side.

Skin: Smooth, waxy with inconspicuous white dots, medium thick but nottough, no russeting.

Stem: Medium thick, 2 cm (3/4 inch).

Cavity: Acute, medium depth, medium width, smooth.

Basin: Shallow and wide.

Calyx: Persistent, curved to upright, open.

Calyx tube: Urn shaped.

Stamens: Basal.

Core line: Meeting.

Core: Medium, closed, small.

Carpels: Roundish, truncate, smooth.

Seed: Acuminate, not tufted.

Flesh:

Texture.--Medium, coarse grained, firm, breaking.

Quality.--Good, mild subacid, aromatic.

Color.--Straw Yellow (Plate 604/3).

Maturity season: Eight (8) weeks before `Delicious`.

Keeping quality: Retains quality and texture two months or more at 34°F.

Use: Summer dessert apple.

TREE

Tree: Upright and vigorous.

Leaves: Oval, double serrate margin, apex acute, base rounded, length towidth ratio = 2.

In particular, our new cultivar apple is distinguished by its resistanceto scab and by its dessert quality and appearance as a summer apple.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct apple tree substantially as shown anddescribed particularly characterized by resistance to apple scab, goodfresh fruit quality, smooth waxy skin, ability to maintain quality instorage, and maturity approximately eight (8) weeks before `Delicious`and four and one-half (41/2) weeks before `Prima`.